Journal box



Nov. 12, 1935. w. c. HEDGCOCK J QURNAL BOX Filed Nov. 16, 1931 journaland the brass bearing.

Patented Nov. 1 2 1935 PATENT OFFICE JOURNAL BOX William C. Hedgcock,Wilmette, Ill., assignor to American Steel Foundries, Chicago, Ill., acorporation of New Jersey Application November 16, 1931, Serial No.575,296-

* Claims.

This invention pertains to a journal box and more particularly to ajournal box arranged for lateral motion with respect to a truck sideframe.

It is well known that a certain amount of lat- -eral motion between thecar axle and the truck frame is desirable so as to permit a certainamount of relative freedom to the wheels in lateral motion toaccommodate themselves to track conditions without imparting shocks orforces to the truck frame.

Where usual axle journals and usual brass friction bearings are usedthis lateral motion is accommodated by providing a certain amount of endclearance for lateral motion between the Where roller bearings aremounted in the journal box for engagement with the axle journal itisdiflicult to arrange for this lateral motion within the journal box,since the roller bearings must be set up for very limited lateralmotion;

It is therefore an object of this invention to provide a journal boxconstruction adapted to be used with a truck side frame providing forlateral motion between the journal box and truck side frame.

Another object is to provide a journal boxadapted for relative movementwith respect to a truck side frame wherein a centering device isprovided for returning the box to normal position and for tending tomaintain the box in normal position.

A further object is to provide a lateral motion journal box which isinexpensive to make and maintain, and fulfills all requirements ofmanufacture and service.

With these and various other objects in view, the invention may consistof certain novel features of construction and operation as will be morefully described and particularly pointed out in the specification,drawing and claims appended v hereto.

In the drawing which illustrates an embodiment of the device and whereinlike reference characters are used to designate like parts- Figure l isa fragmentary side elevation of a truck side frame showing theapplication thereto of a journal box which is the subject matter of thepresent invention; I

Figure 2 is an end elevation of the side frame and journal boxconstruction shown in Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a fragmentary sectional elevation taken substantially in theplane indicated by the line 3-3 of Figure 1;

Figure 4 is a fragmentary sectional top plan view taken substantially inthe plane indicated by the line 4-4 of Figure 1.

In the construction illustrated, the truck side frame II], which may beof any desired construction, is provided with spaced jaws i2 and M 5.between which the journal box It is mounted, there being provided thejournal box retaining plate l8 spanning the jaws and being removablysecured thereto by means such as the bolts 20. The jaws and journalboxes have relative lateral 1Q sliding engagement as between guidemembers or columns i3 for guiding cooperation and to help maintain thejournal box in squared relation to the truck frame. The journal box 1,6,

which may be of any desired construction, is

-ment between the truck side frame and the journal box.

The journal box is provided with the shelves 26 disposed between theflanges 24 and projecting from the sides of the journal box toward eachpedestal jaw. Each pedestal jaw is provided with a ledge 28 facing itsrespective shelf 26 and extending toward the sides of the journal box 30whereby it may be said that the ledges 28 overhang the shelves 26.Rocker members 30 are disposed between the shelves and ledges and areprovided with curved or arcuate surfaces 32-454 adapted to have rockingcooperation between 35 the surfaces of the shelves. The shelves andledges are provided with spaced outwardly flaring lugs 36 adapted toembrace the lugs 38 formed on the recesses 49 adjacent the arcuatesurfaces 32-34 whereby positioning means is formed for 40 maintainingeach rocker in its proper position in relation With its co-actingsurfaces on the journal box and truck side frame. It may thus be saidthat the rockers 36 are carried on the shelves 26, and in turn supportthe truck side frame through the ledges 28.

The truck side frame is thereby operatively carried upon the journalboxes, but is permitted a certain amount of lateral movement by therocking action permitted by the rockers. The 5 radii of the arcuatesurfaces 32-34 of the rocker are preferably so proportioned with respectto their cooperating seats on the shelves 26 and ledges 28 that lateralmovement from normal position causes the contact point on surface 34 tomove to one side of a vertical line through contact point on surface 32,and to cause a lifting action of the truck side frame [0 on the journalbox IE, thereby effecting a resistance to too free lateral motion and arestoring moment to reoenter the journal box in the side frame. Thearcuate rocker surfaces also permit a certain amount of rocking, orvertical angular movement of the journal box transversely with respectto the side frame, whereby the journal box is permitted self-alignmentwith the axle. In order that the journal box be maintained in stableequilibrium it is desirable that the load carrying shelves 26 bepositioned below the center line of the journal, that is, below thecenter line of the axle 22 so that the load is always carried below therotative center of the journal, and there is no tendency for the journalbox to become angularly disposed, or be out of its proper alignment fromits vertical arrangement with the truck side frame.

With the construction shown and described a very advantageous,inexpensive, yet effective construction is provided, and it is to beunderstood that I do not wish to be limited by the exact embodiment ofthe device shown, which is merely by Way of illustration and notlimitation, as various and other forms of the device will of course beapparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the spiritof the invention or the scope of the claims.

I claim:

1. In a truck, the combination of a side frame having spaced jaws, ajournal box disposed between said jaws and provided with flangesembracing said jaws for limiting movements between said side frame andjournal box, a substantially flat shelf provided between said flanges, asubstantially flat ledge provided on said jaws overlying said shelf, androcker means disposed between said shelf and ledge, said rocker meansand shelf and ledge being provided with positioning means formaintaining said rocker means in normal position.

2. In a truck, the combination of a side frame having spaced jaws, ajournal box disposed be- 5 ing means for maintaining said rocker meansin i normal position.

3. In a truck, the combination of a side frame having spaced jaws,ledges on said jaws, a journal box disposed between and having guidingrelation with said jaws adjacent the top of said box, said journal boxhaving shelves thereon, and lateral motion means disposed between saidledges and shelves.

4. In a truck, the combination of a side frame 252 having spaced jaws,ledges on said jaws, a journal I box disposed between and having guidingrelation with said jaws adjacent the top of said box, said journal boxhaving shelves thereon, lateral motion means disposed between saidledges and $0 shelves, and means for maintaining said rocker means innormal position.

5. In a truck, the combination of a side frame having spaced jaws, saidjaws being provided with ledges and guide means directly above the 5same, a journal box disposed between said jaws and cooperating with saidguide means and being provided with shelves below said ledges, andlateral motion means disposed between said ledges and shelves.

WILLIAM C. HEDGCOCK.

